WWE Universe celebrated WWE Hall of Famer Andre the Giant on the late legend’s 75th birthday on 19th May. However, the sweetest tribute came from Andre’s youngest friend and ‘best friend,’ Stephanie McMahon.

Stephanie, the daughter of WWE supremo and chairman, Vince McMahon, met Andre when she was just three years old. Over the years, they had the most uncanny yet adorable bond, something that will last till Andre’s demise in 1993.

She shared a rare photo of her and the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World” on Twitter and wrote, “Celebrating Andre today on what would have been his 75th birthday. I miss you, my friend.”

Her father Vince also shared a throwback to the legend of the company, “A titan of stature, strength, athleticism, and heart. Thinking of my friend Andre the Giant on what would have been his 75th birthday.” You can check their tweets below –

Stephanie McMahon always fondly remembered Andre the Giant

In multiple interviews throughout the years, Stephanie spoke about her adoration for Andre. She associated one of her first memories with the business to the Giant himself. Andre is also her favorite wrestler.

She first met him when she was just three years old, as mentioned earlier. While her babysitter ran away in fear, little Stephanie was never afraid or intimidated, which founded their friendship.

“I was never afraid, and he held out his hand,” Stephanie recalled in The Corp Podcast. “And apparently as lore goes I stepped into the palm of his hand and he brought me up to his cheek and I gave him a kiss on the cheek. And my mom always called Andre my Gulliver.” (h/t 411Mania)

“I pretty much grew up with Andre, and I considered one of my best friends,” McMahon said on an episode of The Rich Eisen Show. “He broke his ankle, and I used to play in his cast because it was the size of my whole body.”

Even the picture she posted on Twitter had some controversies attached to it. The picture, which Vince and Linda McMahon did not want the picture published at that time, is from a WrestleMania after-party,

“I remember after WrestleMania… there was a big after-party at the Rainbow Room, and Andre and I did not feel like participating,” recalled Stephanie. “We were sitting outside, and I fell asleep on his lap and People magazine actually came and took a picture. My parents wouldn’t let them identify who I was in the picture, so it said, ‘Andre the Giant slams Big John Studd.’” (h/t 411Mania)

Sadly, Andre passed away in 1993 at the age of 46, when Stephanie was about 17. Andre never got to see the things his tiny friend did for the wrestling business.

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